Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: I Wish I Were Black! As a teacher of 5th grade students, I try to make sure that my students have a good sense of all the people and cultures that make up this country. Last couple weeks, I paid special attention to the African American people who have made significant contributions to the US. We read a book written by Walter Dean Myers. We have studied scientists, writers, and political figures. Students were very engaged and interested in the content. Yesterday something happened that puzzled me. Three of my White students told me that they wished they were Black. This was not my intention when I planned all my lessons on contributions of African Americans. How should I address this issue? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) During the lessons the students learned about people who were black and their accomplishments in life. When the student said that they wished they were black, I feel as though the student wanted to relate to the people through their race. While the goal of the lesson was to teach about diversity it should also have been a lesson about hard work and determination. As the teacher I would have addressed the statement in that it does not matter your race but if you work hard you can achieve great things. I would tell the student that all these people faced many challenges but they never gave up on their dreams. I would continue to tell the student that we can all make a difference and be someone great regardless of our gender or race that what matters most is our determination, perseverance and hard work. Elizabeth Comella